Southgate gets strange request from Man Utd over England call-up
Gareth Southgate will name his England squad for October’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary next week, but Mason Greenwood will reportedly not be called up.
The Manchester United youngster has started the season in fine form. His progressive displays have seen him net three goals in six appearances ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Aston Villa.
The 19-year-old, after being on the bench in midweek against West Ham, was back in the starting XI against Villa.
Greenwood was also expected to be back in the England reckoning next week.
However, the Daily Mail claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has requested that Greenwood be omitted from the squad.
The attacker missed out of Southgate’s last 25-man squad and the England gaffer has been asked to leave the Bradford-born starlet at home again.
As per the report, “Southgate is eager to recall Greenwood”.
The player was sent home along with Phil Foden for breaking the FA’s Covid-19 protocols by inviting visitors back to the team hotel in Iceland last September. He has not been involved since, but it seems like it has been United’s decision.
Solskjaer is keen to wrap the talented attacker in cotton wool.
“There are concerns at Old Trafford that another England call-up at this stage would put the teenager under increased pressure and scrutiny, at a time when he is still establishing himself at United, as well as adding to his workload,” claims the paper.
The United boss is a huge fan of the youngster and hailed his goal in the recent win over Wolves.
Solskjaer said: “It’s special. To get the shot on target from that angle is good. Of course the keeper maybe could have saved it but he hit it so quickly.
“The beauty of him is that he can go outside right foot and inside left foot, so it’s hard for a defender.”
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Jamaica a ‘red herring’ for Greenwood
Greenwood is also eligible to play for Jamaica until he makes three senior appearances for the Three Lions. He has appeared just once so far, but he has already told Southgate he is not interested in playing for the Reggae Boyz.
Southgate said last month: “Normally, I don’t get involved in the Under-21s but he’s beyond that.
“I want to take a little bit more control of his development internationally.
“The dual nationality is a bit of a red herring.
“He 100 per cent wants to play for England and there is no suggestion there is anything else there.”
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